BRITISH EDUCATION

In Britain, education is compulsory for all children aged between 5 and 16 years. Many stay at school until 18 years old and then go to university.

There are two different types of school:

  • state schools
  • private schools

State schools are financed by the government. Private schools are not financed by the government. Private schools are sometimes called 'independent schools' or (very confusingly!) 'public schools'.

State schools are usually 'day schools' where the students go home each evening. Some private schools are also day schools but many are 'boarding schools' where the students eat and sleep at the school.

Overseas students usually attend private boarding schools.

State schools are open only to British or other European Union citizens. Private schools are open to all nationalities.

Education in state schools is free. All students at private schools must pay. Typical fees for 2008 at a private boarding school in Britain are £24,000 per year (inclusive of accommodation and meals). The fees at private schools are exactly the same for British students as for overseas students.

All students must take two very important examinations:

  • GCSE
  • A-level

GCSE examinations take place in Years 10 - 11. Students usually take GCSE examinations in 6 - 10 different subjects.

A-level examinations take place in Years 12 - 13. Students usually take 3 - 4 subjects at A-level.

Both GCSE and A-level are two year examinations. The final grade depends on both a written examination and the student's work over the whole two year period. All students must complete two years work for each examination (except in certain circumstances for overseas students - please contact us for details).

Students wishing to study at university must normally take A-levels first (except in certain circumstances for overseas students - please contact us for details).

University education normally starts at age 18 years after completion of A-levels.

Each school year is divided into three 'terms':

WinterTerm: usually from September to December

Spring Term: usually from January to April

Summer Term: usually from May to July

All students, including overseas boarding students, leave school at the end of each term.

In the middle of each term there is usually a one-week holiday called 'half-term'. Students must leave the school at half-term.

British students go home to their familes at half-term and at the end of each term. Many overseas students also go home to their familes at the end of each term but go to their guardian for half-term.

A guardian is someone who:

  • looks after a student at half-term
  • looks after a student at other times if necessary
  • arranges airport meeting and UK travel for the student
  • helps to look after the student's money
  • looks after the student in case of any problems or difficulties
  • takes care of the general welfare of the student
  • generally represents the parents while the student is in Britain.

All overseas students at British schools must have a guardian.

Academic Asia can provide detailed advice on guardians and can help to arrange guardianship if necessary - please contact us for details.

 

 

All British schools are divided into "Years":

YEAR
AGE
1
5 - 6
2
6 - 7
3
7 - 8
4
8 - 9
5
9 - 10
6
10 - 11
7
11 - 12
8
12 - 13
9
13 - 14
10
14 - 15
11
15 - 16
12
16 - 17
13
17 - 18

In most schools, the exact age of the students is very important and only students of the correct age are allowed into each Year. A few schools will make some exceptions for overseas students - please contact us for details.

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